Sri Lankan Articles

Hambantota and the Delhi-Beijing-Colombo triangle

Tuesday, 24 August 2010 13:00 Editor1

Hambantota and the Delhi-Beijing-Colombo triangle

by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

It is not that Sri Lanka’s foreign relations are not in need of repair, especially after five dismal years between Lakshman Kadirgamar and GL Pieris, but it is ironic in the extreme when the criticism comes from the UNP or its sympathisers.

The UNP and its fellow travellers seem to think that Sri Lanka’s foreign relations are in need of repair because a group of provincials, rustics even, have taken over the reins of the state and are congenitally unable to understand the world or communicate with it. The corollary of this view is that the UNP, especially its current leadership, has the social sophistication to manage our foreign relations. This is no less than hilarious because the worst periods in Sri Lanka’s foreign relations were under UNP administrations and not those of the SLFP under any of its leaders.

If safeguarding the national interest is the basic objective of foreign policy, and national interest is definable as the defence of the fundamental attributes of the state such as national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, then these never stood more in jeopardy than during UNP administrations.

The worst disaster in Sri Lanka’s external relations was indubitably the Jayewardene years with the Indian airdrop followed by 70,000 foreign troops on Sri Lankan soil, while the rest of the world chose to look the other way. That was how isolated Sri Lanka had become, while affairs were handled by the Colombo based Westernised and pro-Western elite. By contrast, when the April 1971 insurrection broke out, the active support for Sri Lanka extended from the US and UK to China, Russia, Yugoslavia and Egypt, while Indian and Pakistani military personnel – their rivalries apart—helped Sri Lanka.

The three most outstanding failures of Sri Lanka’s external relations were Bandung 1954 (earning the Esmond Wickremesinghe–advised Sir John Kotelawela the delightfully apt local nickname of Bandung Booruwa), Indo-Lanka 1987 and the CFA period under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2002-4 (during which sovereignty and territorial integrity were made a mockery of).

The construction of the Hambantota Port is truly historic and progressive. History shows that in all countries, ports were the connecting point with the outside world and acted as an engine of economic and social progress. The Deep South of Sri Lanka which had been badly neglected for decades if not centuries will never be marginalised again, thanks to the Hambantota Port. For this the country must thank both President Mahinda Rajapakse and Sri Lanka’s most reliable and important international friend, China.

As for how it will affect Sri Lanka’s relations with the West and India, I do not see why it should affect those relations negatively. As is well known, Sri Lanka first offered our giant neighbour India the opportunity of helping to build the Port, and we turned to China only after India had declined or hesitated. The new Port is open to ships from all over the world, including India and the USA, and therefore it cannot be said to be aimed against the interest of anyone. It is not closed to anyone, so everyone can use it and benefit from it.

There are no foreign military bases or military presence attached to the Hambantota port. In any case China has no military bases or troops outside its territory. There are those who say that Hambantota Port is potentially ‘dual purpose’, by which is meant it can be used to service military ships and planes. The answer is that any country can do so, with Sri Lanka’s permission. We have visits from the US and Indian navies, and cooperation with their militaries, and there is no reason that this cannot extend to Hambantota Port as well.

Certain analysts say that China is adopting a ‘string of pearls’ strategy of building ports and other facilities in various parts of the world which it can use in case of need. It is said that a rapidly developing power like China needs raw materials and fuel and therefore must expand its Navy. Others talk of a Silk Route strategy on the part of China. So what? Every rising power did the same thing, and China has never engaged in aggressive, violent imperialist or colonialist aggression. Sri Lanka cannot be used to ‘contain’ China, nor can we be blamed for not participating in attempts to contain China. Sri Lanka must proceed on the basis of our own national interest, and that national interest is very well served by the Hambantota port and China’s generous loan and assistance in building it.

The bonds between Sri Lanka and China go all the way back to 1952 and the Rubber-Rice Pact. This was under a UNP administration. We established formal ties years later after 1956. When Prime Minister Chou En Lai visited Ceylon in the 1950s, he won the hearts of the Sri Lankan people. Ties have been strengthened during both UNP and SLFP governments. Under President Premadasa, the Free School Uniforms Programme was possible because China gifted all the fabric necessary for those uniforms—and a top delegate of the Communist Party of China was the chief guest at the UNP Convention during the Premadasa presidency. During the war against the Tigers, China supported us diplomatically and militarily. Without that support it would have been very difficult and perhaps impossible for Sri Lanka to have won, or resisted foreign intervention.

China, together with Russia, is our reliable shield in the UN Security Council. We have no other reliable friends in that all-important Council. China has never once interfered in our internal affairs. It also has no Tamil lobbies. Our old and reliable friend China has now emerged as a global economic power and in the coming decades will be a truly global power. This will balance off the hegemony of the West and eventually liberate us peacefully from that hegemony. For all these reasons China is an indispensable friend and it would be stupid for Sri Lanka not to strengthen its ties with China.

As for not harming relations with India and improving relations with the West, there are other ways that Sri Lanka can and must do this, which are mutually beneficial and do not restrict our chances for economic development and progress. For instance we should seriously re-consider our delay in signing CEPA. CEPA would strengthen our ties with India which is a rising economic power, and like China, an engine of Asia’s economic miracle.

We must carefully balance our relations with China and India, not taking sides with either in their possible competition, but remaining firm friends with both. As Prime Minister, Madam Sirimavo Bandaranike succeeded in doing this even in 1962 when India and China fought a war.

Remembering Lakshman Kadirgamar on Fifth Anniversary of his Death

Saturday, 21 August 2010 23:55 Editor1

Remembering Lakshman Kadirgamar on Fifth Anniversary of his Death

August 11th, 2010

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj

(Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was killed on August 12th 2005. This article written in August 2005 for “The Sunday Leader” is reproduced here to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his death.It has been shortened)

Lakshman Kadirgamar ~ (April 12, 1932 – August 12, 2005)

Independence dawned for Sri Lanka then Ceylon on February 4th 1948. The union jack was lowered and the national flag raised at the stroke of midnight. Even as the flag fluttered proudly four young athletes carrying flaming torches entered the square and ran up the steps of Independence hall. Together they lit the lamp of freedom.

The quartet comprised members of the four major communities of the Island . The sixteen year old youth representing the Tamils was Lakshman Kadirgamar.That instance may not have been the proudest moment in Lakshmans life as he was destined to achieve glory in many spheres of life. But on that day as a new nation made its tryst with destiny Kadirgamar played a role that he never ever played again.

At the dawn of Independence the Tamils perceived themselves jubilantly as an integral part of the Country. Lakshman Kadirgamar personified the Tamil people in that ceremony. He Was Tamil and he was Ceylonese (Sri Lankan). There was no conflict here. In later years this harmony was ruined as the serpent of racism entered the garden of Eden. Kadirgamar himself was to be caught up later in this dilemma of ethnicity and nationality and pay the supreme price.

The man who carried the torch of independence as a representative of the Tamils is a man whom the self – imposed sole representatives of the Tamil people and their minions loved to hate. So intense was their hatred that the name Kadirgamar itself was featured in tiger and pro – tiger discourse as a word for traitor. Ettappan who betrayed Kattabhomman to the British, Kakkai Vanniyan who betrayed Sankiliyan to the Portugese were words used to depict traitors earlier. In recent times the assassinated Jaffna mayor Duraiappa’s name was used. Nowadays they use Kadirgamar. Now that they have killed him another “thurogi” has to be discovered and vilified.

The name Kadirgamar is unique to Sri Lankan Tamils. Lord Muruga or Skanda in Kathirgamam or Kataragama is the most sacred place of Hindu worship in Sri Lanka . Names such as Kadirgamar, Kathirgamanathan, Kathirgamathamby, Kathirgamasegaram etc are derived from the deity of Kathirgamam. Names like these are seldom found in Tamil Nadu.

It is indeed interesting that a name like Kadirgamar should be borne by some members of the Christian faith in Sri Lanka . This is because some Tamils continued to retain their Tamil “Hinduistic” names even after conversion. Others took on English and American names as surnames.

Lakshman Kadirgamar belonged to a Protestant Christian family of Jaffna Tamil Vellala origin. The founder of this christianised Kadirgamar family was a native of Puloly West called Karthigeyan Kadirgamar. His staunch Hindu family renovated and was involved in managing the Point Pedro Sivan temple at one time.

Karthigeyan’s first cousin Eliyathamby during colonial times was an Adhigar in Batticaloa. It is said that Adhigar road in Batticaloa was named after him.

Karthigeyan took on the name Christian after baptism but retained the Kadirgamar name. He served as the first Ceylonese Registrar – General of the Supreme Court. His wife was the daughter of Rev. Francis Ashbury of Vaddukkoddai. The Ashbury family was one of the earliest converts to Protestant Christianity in Jaffna . The Kadirgamar family through the Ashbury Connection, as once asserted by Bishop Kulendran of the CSI Church, can claim unbroken continuity from the first protestant converts with the founding of the American mission in the early decades of the 19th century.

Karthigeyan’s eldest son Samuel Jebaratnam Christian (SJC) Kadirgamar was the man who established the Kadirgamar family in Colombo . He studied at St. Thomas College travelling to Mutwal from Jaffna by boat. One of his dormitory mates was a lad called Wilson . Both found themselves quarrelling eternally.

The STC Warden at the time resolved it in typical English public school fashion. Both were asked to don boxing gloves and slog it out in the ring with the warden as referee. At the end of it both became firm friends for life. Both became proctors and set up the law firm Kadirgamar and Wilson in Colombo .

SJC Kadirgamar married Edith Rosemand Parimalam Mather the daughter of Edward Mather of Manipay. The Mathers apparently were engaged in commerce and traded in imported products. Two of Lakshman’s uncles were christian ministers. The Rev. JWA Kadirgamar on his paternal side and Rev. BCD Mather on his maternal side were pastors. This Christian heritage is something which cannot be obliterated despite Lakshman’s latter day Theosophy of the Olcott variety.

Incidently the assassin or assassins using the Thalayasingham residence to snipe at Kadirgamar had carried a cricket bag with the name of Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold written on it. Russel Arnold himself is a nephew of Lakshman being the grandson of BCD Mather.

While talking of cricketers it may be recalled that the Thalayasinghams too were excellent cricketers at Royal. Lakshman called “Thalaya” captained the team in 1966 when the unbeaten Thomian team was led by Anura Tennekoon nicknamed “Ataya”. Lakshmans brothers Sahadevan opened batting for Royal in 1968 and Jayantha opened bowling in 1969 – 70.

Lakshman Kadirgamar born on April 12th 1932 was the youngest of six children. The eldest SJC (jnr) or Sam Kadirgamar was the well known Queens Counsel. Selvanathan or Bhai Kadirgamar a major in the army later emigrated to the USA . Rajan was the former Sri Lankan Navy commander. Thirumalan or Mana Kadirgamar was a planter who died early meeting with a motor accident in Dickoya. With Lakshmans death none of the brothers are now among the living. The only sibling alive is his eldest sister Eeswari who married Dr. AMD Richards.

While all his brothers were educated at Royal only Lakshman went to Trinity presumably due to the war where he studied from 1942 to 1950. He won many awards while at Trinity including the Dr Andreas Nell Memorial Prize for Ceylon History- Napier Clavering Prize for English and the Ryde Gold Medal for the best all round student in 1950.

In sports he got cricket colours and was Cricket Captain -1950. Rugby Colours-1949. Athletics Colours-1949 and Trinity Lion 1950. He came first at Public Schools, and broke the record in the 110m hurdles (15.7 seconds) in 1949. He won the Duncan White Challenge Cup-1949 De Soysa Challenge Cup-1949. was Senior Prefect in 1949.

He entered the Peradeniya University and read for an LLB degree there. While an undergrad he won the All Ceylon 110m hurdles title in 1951 and 1952. All India inter University 110m hurdles title and set records at Ahamedabad in 1951 and Allahabad in 1952. He was also Member of the cricket teams of the University of Ceylon and later Balliol College, University of Oxford becoming an Oxford Blue in Cricket.

After getting his Bachelors degree in law Kadirgamar passed the Advocates final first in order of merit. He then served as secretary to Justice ENA Gratiaen. He later went to England becoming a Barrister of the Inner Temple and entering Balliol College Oxford.

He made history in Oxford getting elected as President of the Oxford Union. Four Sri Lankans have been Presidents. They are Kadirgamar (Trinity) Athulathmudali (Royal) Noordeen (STC) and Jeyasundharie Wilson (Methodist). Jeya Wilson the only woman President from Sri Lanka is a niece of the late Prof. AJ Wilson.

In 1958 during the communal violence Lakshman Kadirgamar when interviewed by the media said that SWRD Bandaranaike was only a “politician” and not a “statesman” because of the violence. The next year Lakshman was instrumental in getting a portrait of SWRD hung up.

The tradition is that any Union President who becomes head of state gets a bust. Since SWRD was only treasurer of the union he got a portrait. SWRD however was assassinated a few dayss before he was to visit Oxford for the ceremony. In his absence it was left to Lakshman to do the honours.

Many years later Lakshman Kadirgamar’s portrait was unveiled at the Oxford Union on March 18, 2005 by Rt. Hon Lord Chris Patten of Barnes CH, Chancellor of the University of Oxford . In the 183-year history of the Oxford Union he is the fifteenth office bearer whose bust or portrait is displayed in the Union building. Kadirgamar was also made Hon. Master of the Inner Temple-1995 -the second Asian to be made so after former Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.

While at Balliol Kadirgamar married an artist Angela Malik of French – Pakistani descent. He had two children. The daughter is Ajitha Perera now resident in Boston . She was a well – known media personality in Sri Lanka during the eighties and nineties.

Her son Keira Perera is Kadirgamar’s only grandson. Kadirgamar’s son an architecht is in Sri Lanka. He was named Sriraghavan JebaratnamChristian but is generally known as Ragee.

In later years Kadirgamar divorced his first wife. He married again in 1996. He married Suganthi Wijeysuriya a lawyer and senior partner at the law firm FJ and G de Saram. Their wedding was a private one with Chandrika Kumaratunga and Gamani Corea being the attesting witnesses.

After returning to Sri Lanka in the sixties from Oxford Lakshman Kadirgamar went about building a lucrative law practice. At the same time he began exploring prospects of a political career too.

It is interesting to note that Kadirgamar at that time was contemplating a political future as an elected MP from the North. He was ardently wooed by both the Federal Party and Tamil Congress. Though he never joined those parties or participated in actively in politics Kadirgamar interacted closely with Tamil politicians like SJV Chelvanayagam, GG Ponnambalam, M. Tiruchelvam, EMV Naganathan. M. Balasundaram etc.

He also made several visits to Jaffna during this time. One objective was to rediscover his roots. Another was to scout around for a prospective electorate. Though his own family was now Colombo based there were several others of the extended Kadirgamar family in Jaffna .

He was also a keen student of history and very much interested in that of the Jafna kingdom. Though his pro – tiger critics chide him as an ignoramus in the history and traditions of Jaffna people who have heard him speak on the subject are amazed at his knowledge and insight. There are few with Kadirgamar’s knowledge of Jaffna history in the tiger camp.

During one of his Jaffna trips in the sixties Kadirgamar addressed the Jaffna YMCA on an interesting theme. His lecture was titled “From Plato to Sirimavo”. When excerpts of that lecture were carried in newspapers Mrs. Bandaranaike was reportedly annoyed.

Years later she herself telephoned Lakshman inviting him to join her daughter President Chandrika Kumaratunga cabinet of which the grand old lady was Prime Minister. She added her voice then to numerous others urging Kadirgamar to enter active politics.

What led Kadirgamar to give up ideas of entering politics in the sixties and then do so thirty years later in the nineties?

Sir Arunachalam Mahadeva son of Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam once lamented that when universal franchise was introduced he had to go “far” to Jaffna in search of a constituency though he had lived for the greater part of his life in Colombo . This was Lakshman Kadirgamar’s dilemma too when he began toying with the idea of entering Parliament. Though the multi – member constituencies of Colombo Central (3) and Colombo South (2) were carved out that way to provide for Tamil representation things never turned out that way.

The upper and upper middle class voters of Colombo South preferred JR Jayewardene of the UNP and to a lesser extent Bernard Soysa of the LSSP over and above any Tamil candidate.

The lower middle class and working class Tamils of Colombo Central cast their votes for Pieter Keuneman and later Ranasinghe Premadasa. Bala Tampoe in 1960 and MS Sellasamy in 1977 failed to win.

Yet Sellasamy won later in 1989 under proportionate representation for the entire City. P Devarajan, R Yogarajan, Mano Ganesan and even Thiyagarajah Maheswaran have demonstrated that elected Tamil representation is possible in Colombo .

This was not the situation in the sixties. With GG Ponnambalam and SJV Chelvanayagam evincing an interest in enticing the oxonian prodigy to their ranks young Lakshman like A Mahadeva before him had to look Northwards.

He had accompanied Justice EFN Gratiaen as secretary on several trips to Jaffna in the fifties. Being secretary to the Judge was a reward for his academic brilliance in law. Apparently an arrangement had been worked out by Prof. Nadarajah in this respect with Gratiaen. Shinya was the predecessor to Kadirgamar in this post.It was as Gratiaen’s secretary that Kadirgamar played a small role in getting HL de Silva join the Attorney – Generals department.

These trips to Jaffna kindled his enthusiasm for discovering his roots. He also read up vividly on Jaffna history and familiarised himself of the evolution and growth of Jaffna .

This grasp of history may have played a part in Kadirgamars attitude towards separatism. No true intellectual could accept the half – baked versions of history propagated by both the pro and anti – eelam forces. Later in the sixties he began visiting Jaffna again prospecting for a constituency.

The prospective candidate’s enthusiasm however was short lived for two reasons.

One was that his discovery of the state of politics in the North. Tamil nationalism had risen to the fore and demanded pandering to that concept by prospective candidates. This narrow nationalism was not to his liking.

Besides he was unable to even speak Tamil to the extent of making political speeches.Also despite his ancestry there were no firm roots in Jaffna . It was doubtful that Lakshman could face the hustle and bustle of Jaffna politics let alone win .

His Jaffna based Cousins gave him their candid views on his political prospects in Jaffna . Lakshman realised that his political chances in the peninsula were slimmer than the Isthmus of Aanai Iravu ( Elephant Pass ).

He was further discouraged in his political ambition by his elder brothers in Colombo , Sam JC Kadirgamar the lawyer and Rajanathan (Rajan) Kadirgamar the Naval Commander. Both advised him to drop his political ambition and concentrate on his law.. Their father SJC (snr) had established a lucrative practice in Colombo and was also the founder president of the Ceylon Legal Society.

Lakshman heeded the advice of his brothers and cousins and began focusing on the law. There are some of Lakshman’s relatives who believe that he would have never entered politics had his two elder brothers been alive. Both Rajan and Sam had passed away before Lakshman entered politics in 1994.

Kadirgamar then settled down firmly in Colombo and began building up a solid practice.He specialised in commercial, industrial, labour and administrative law.

Then came the JVP insurgency of 1971. this had a profound impact on Lakshman. Though not affected directly the JVP revolt made Lakshman feel that he should go abroad. He felt that life in Lanka was going to turn worse with the advent of the JVP. How very prophetic!

But ironically enough the very same Lakshman who left Sri Lanka due to the JVP found himself on the best of terms with the “rathu sahodarayas” 33 years later. The JVP found in Lakshman a sincere friend and guide while Lakshman recognized a “like – mindedness” on some issues.

Lakshman relocated to Britain . He pursued a legal career from 1971 to 74 during which he showed keen interest in human rights. In 1973 he was the special representative of Amnesty International investigating the Buddhist – Catholic violence in Vietnam .

In 1976 he became consultant to the International Labour Organization (ILO)in Geneva . In 1978 he joined the World Intellectual property organization (WIPO) and served as its director till 1988.He was the virtual adviser on intellectual property to developing nations of Asia – pacific.

He also travelled widely. In the early eighties he was in an airplane that crashed in Greece . He survived miraculously by jumping through the emergency exit. He broke several bones and was bed – ridden for three months.

While Lakshman was abroad he received a powerful invitation in 1977 from Lalith Athulathmudali and HW Jayewardene to return and take up politics as a “green elephant”. HW was I believe Lakshman’s senior during his apprenticeship.

Lakshman turned it down.One reason was that he was looking forward to brighter prospects in the UNO. In this however he was to be disappointed badly.

This disappointment and the fact that his daughter Ajitha had returned to Sri Lanka to become a well – known media personality impelled Lakshman to go back home. This he did in 1988.

He returned to Colombo and re- established his legal practice again. He concentrated as earlier on industrial. labour and commercial law and of course intellectual property law.

Another less known fact was that Kadirgamar also was a discreet consultant avoiding limelight in a number of cases affecting Tamildetainees. He also proffered legal advice to some Tamils affected in the violence in procuring compensation. This was in association with a human rights organization. There are some Tamil human rights lawyers who are aware of this but will not dare articulate it for fear of offending the tigers intent on vilifying Lakshman

The “second coming” of Chandrika Kumaratunga to Sri Lanka in the early nineties heralded a new dawn for ethno – politics in the Country. There were high hopes that a negotiated settlement to the ethnic crisis was in sight. It was a period of idealistic fervour.

It was in such a climate that Kadirgamar decided to enter politics in support of Kumaratunga. Earlier Athulathmudali had renewed his invitation in 88 – 89 too but Kadirgamar declined gracefully not wishing to join the tarnished UNP.

Lakshman deciding to join the SLFP in 1994 was a significant development as his family on account of its class character had been staunch UNP loyalists. Elder brother Sam Kadirgamar was the chief counting agent of Dudley Senanayake in 1965.

Sam was offered an ambassadorship to Moscow which he declined.It was said that had Dudley returned to power in 1970 Sam may have been Justice Minister. Retired Naval chief Rajan Kadirgamar too was a corporation chairman in the JR regime.

Initially the person who persuaded Kadirgamar to join politics was the late Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam of the TULF. He was ably supported by the lawyer Manouri Muttetuwegama – wife of Sarath(CP) and daughter of Colvin(LSSP) – in this mission.

One of Lakshmans relatives,former Bank of Ceylon chairman Rajan Asirwatham also influenced him in this regard. Lakshman was placed on the SLFP national list. The other big name coming into politics from academia was Gamini Lakshman Peiris. Both Peiris and Kadirgamar played a big part in winning over voters to the SLFP from what is considered the traditional UNP constituency.

The only Tamil candidate on the SLFP with a chance of winning the hustings was lawyer Ketheeswaran in the Wanni. Kethees was the former TULF Urban council chairman in Vavuniya. But he did not win. So Kumaratunga had to appoint one Tamil as national list MP. This naturally was Lakshman.

Thus one from the Kadirgamar family became a Member of Parliament. The dominant professional strands in the family were law, christian clergyhood, teaching and service in the armed forces.Now for the first time an active full – time politician emerged.

The new government had a majority of one through Up Country Tamil MP Chandrasekharan. He and Kadirgamar were the two Tamil representatives initially. Kumaratunga offered them both deputy – minister posts as she wanted to restrict her cabinet to twenty.

Chandrasekharan accepted but not Kadir. Lakshman who rarely projected himself as a Tamil did so then. He pointed out that his community would consider it an insult if he was only to be given a deputy – ministership. Chandrika agreed. It was a choice of Justice or Foreign Affairs. Lakshman wanted the latter. He was immensely equipped for it.

Kadirgamar proved subsequently that he was the best man for the job.In the post – independence years Defence and External affairs portfolios were the preserve of the Prime Minister. It was under JRJ in 1977 that a departure was made and ACS Hameed became foreign minister.

It is broadly acknowledged that Kadirgamar was the best foreign minister the Country ever had. To Sinhala hawks Kadirgamar was the best foreign minister because he spearheaded an anti – tiger drive. But the man’s greatness was in clearing up the augean stables in the ministry due mainly to the cronyism of Hameed and Tyronne Fernando.

It was another Tamil Sir Kandiah Vaithiyanathan as permanent secretary who set up a modern foreign service after Independence . It was Lakshman Kadirgamar who restructured and professionalised the service. Those who worked with him from Permanent secretary to peon would vouch for this.

It was unfortunate indeed that in later years he was unable to check the interference of his spouse Suganthi in affairs of the ministry. Thanks to her there are blemishes in what was a career of ability and integrity.

Another of his achievements as foreign minister was restoring good relations with India eroded greatly under Jayewardene and Premadasa. Of course Indo – Lanka relations were always good under the Bandaranaike dynasty but the role of Kadirgamar cannot be discounted in this.

Many including this columnist have mocked Kadirgamar’s undue haste in paying pooja to any new dispensation in New Delhi like some vassal state. But it cannot be denied that the New Delhi – Colombo relationship changed in favour of the latter in recent years. A brief comparison would suffice as illustration.

In 1987 when JR’s troops took Vadamaratchi and were ready to take Jaffna India engaged in the famous airdrop to deter that. In 2000 when VP’s boys took Elephant Pass and were ready to take Jaffna the same India exerted its influence and stopped that. Kadirgamar then convalescing in New Delhi played a very important yet unpublicised role in that.

But the powers that be wanting to show that it was the might of the armed forces which prevented Jaffna falling did not highlight the India factor. The tigers too kept mum for obvious reasons.

It must be pointed out that Kadirgamar’s affinity towards India and recognition of its pivotal importance in the region was based on enlightened self – interest with emotional underpinnings.

Lakshmans father was an admirer of Mahatma Gandhi .

He was chairman of a reception committee and presided over a meeting attended by the Mahatma in 1927 when Lakshman was yet unborn.. Lakshmans mother Parimalam requested Gandhi for his autograph. The Mahatma looking mischievously at the bright silk saree worn by her refused and told her that he would do so only if she wore “ghaddar” (homespun cloth). She did not get her autograph then.

Incidently she died early when Lakshman was only eight. It was his elder sister Eeswary who looked after him in the early years in maternal fashion. Years after her death Parimalam’s expensive “Koorai” or bridal saree underwent an exalted transformation. When the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India was formed in 1947 and Sabapathy Kulendiran was consecrated as its first bishop SJC Kadirgamar donated the Bishops throne now at the Vaddukkoddai Cathedral.

This throne which this columnist has seen personally was made out of good old Jaffna palmyrah though it looks like polished ebony. The Koorai saree was used to cover seating and the footstool. Years later Sam Kadirgamar got a velvet cover made for it.

Apart from this link with the Mahatma, I am also told that two of Lakshman’s close relatives had close Indian links.One had been a disciple of the Mahatma at Sabarmathy Ashram and another a student at Tagores Shanti Nikhetan. In that sense Lakshman too continued this historic link with India .

Apart from the political aspects there was the spiritual aspect bordering on the personal. In Lakshmans intellectual and spiritual journey Indian philosophical thought became heavily influential. Lakshman had evolved into an inter – faith person. He was greatly enamoured of India’s greatest son Gauthama Buddha and this was no pretension caused by contemporary political compulsions.

This point was touched on by the historian and Lakshmans first cousin Seelan Kadirgamar at his memorial service.This is what he reportedly observed “His (Lakshman) religious convictions perceiving common values in the four great religions, has struck a responsive chord in me as among others, and I wish to affirm in the strongest terms have nothing to do with his assumption of office. As a student of Indian history I place him in the great tradition in Indian history from Asoka to Akbar, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Tagore and Gandhi – inclusive and not exclusive”.

How Prabhakaran met his death: KP speaks out – 3

Saturday, 21 August 2010 10:59 Editor1

How Prabhakaran met his death: KP speaks out – 3

August 20th, 2010

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

(CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK)

Question: What happened finally to your plan of rescuing Prabhakaran and his family by helicopter? Why did the plan not take off?

Answer:

It’s a very sad story………

After Prabhakaran’s son Charles Anthony asked me to rescue his family members by air I devised a plan and made preliminary arrangements. I arranged for a ship to be kept waiting at a far –off port beyond the reach of the Sri Lanka navy. I also made arrangements to buy a second-hand helicopter from an Ukrainian contact.

The idea was for one or two trained pilots from the LTTE’s airwing “Vaan Puligal” to fly into the Wanni. If Prabhakaran was willing ,the family except for Charles Anthony were to be flown out. If the leader was unwilling then he and a few other of his bodyguards and senior leaders were to be flown by the copter and dropped off in a jungle location in Lanka.

Afterwards the heli would fly out to the ship with Prabhakaran’s wife Madhivadhani, daughter Thuwaraga and younger son Balachandran and perhaps a few others. I would be waiting for them at the ship. Thereafter I planned to keep the family safely in one of three countries.Perhaps in rotation.

Q; Were these countries ready to accept the family?Were they western nations?

A: No they were not countries in the west. Two were in Africa and one in Asia. I had been in touch with senior govt officials of these countries through my representatives. When I had sounded them out on this matter they were willing.

Q: The plan itself was rather risky ? Were you confident of it succeeding?

A: Yes it was risky but I was ready to carry it out.We had no choice. If we didn’t risk it, the alternative was certain death. I also had a secret hope that Prabhakaran may agree at the last minute and opt to fly out. So I devised the plan. The key element was surprise. If the first stage was successful we may have tried further flights too to rescue others.

Q: But then what went wrong?

A: It never worked out. It required about 1.5 million US dollars to implement the plan. I did not have that kind of money. The LTTE overseas structure had to give me the money. Castro had promised Charles Anthony that Nediyavan in Norway will transfer the necessary funds to me. But he never did it.

I made repeated requests that it was urgent and time was running out. I would be told “the money is coming, money is coming”. But sadly it never came.

Also Nediyavan was in touch with Atchuthan the Air wing chief living abroad. Earlier he had agreed to provide the required LTTE pilots for the operation. But then suddenly acting perhaps under Nediyavan’s orders he stopped communicating with me. I was really frantic. I approached mercenary pilots to fly the helicopter but nothing further could be done without necessary funds.

And then in mid-May the Sri Lankan army launched a three –pronged offensive and boxed off the Valainjermadam- Mullivaaikkaal- Vattuvaahal area. After that it was too late to attempt a helicopter rescue. So with great sorrow I abandoned the plan. I was furious with Nediyavan and Castro but helpless to do anything.

Q: And within days all were dead?

A: Yes. They were all dead. The whole family was gone. I was extremely sad at Balachandran’s death. He was only 12 years old. I had never seen the boy in person but when he was a child I used to talk to Prabhakaran frequently. This boy would be on his lap and Prabhakaran would often give the phone to him saying “Intha KP Mamavode kathai” (Here talk to KP uncle)So I would chat with him. Later I lost touch with the boy but I was apparently still existing in his memory.

When the war escalated and shelling increased the boy was very frightened. Later when Charles asked me to arrange for an aerial rescue and I started working on the plan, young Balachandran had been told not to worry and that he would be going to KP uncle soon. The little fellow had then put some of his belongings in a small bag and had been carrying it around with him all the time saying “Naan KP Mamata poren” ( I am going to KP uncle)

Sometimes in my thoughts, I visualise Balachandran with his bag telling people that he was going to KP Mama and waiting for a rescue that never took place. When I think of that I get so sad and angry at Nediyavan for obstructing the plan.

Q: Why did he do that?

A: I really don’t know but it must have been on Castro’s instructions. They did not want KP to get credit I think. But this was really a symptom of what had gone wrong in the LTTE. Individuals were letting their petty jealousies and divisions affect the overall good of the movement and struggle.

Q:You are sure about the entire family being killed? There are stories spread by sections of the Tamil Diaspora and Tamil Nadu politicians that Prabhakaran is alive and Madhivathani is alive and so on? What do you say?

A:These types of tales are spread by some for their selfish motives and others believe them because they don’t want to accept emotionally that it is over.

Q: But you don’t have first –hand knowledge of this?

A: Obviously no! But I was in touch with Soosai till the last stages. I have also heard about these matters from official sources. Most importantly I saw Prabhakaran’s body on TV .

Q: But these people disputing it say it was not his body?

A:Utter nonsense. When I saw the TV image I immediately knew it was Prabhakaran. I was so upset that I cut myself off from people and spent hours alone crying, reflecting and meditating.

Q: One of the reasons for this confusion was due to yourself also. When Prabhakaran’s death reports surfaced you announced to the media that it was not so and that he was alive in a safe location. Subsequently you went back on that denial. This action eroded your credibility greatly and provides ammunition to your critics. Why this flip-flop? Can you explain?

A: Yes, I will be happy to explain. What happened was that Prabhakaran ,Pottu Amman and some others broke out clandestinely in one group and moved through the lagoon and coast. Two other groups also moved out in different directions. The idea was to reach the jungles safely

Reconnaissance missions done earlier showed that the soldiers were in three layers around the encircled area. Soosai with whom I was interacting was informed that Praba and Pottu had broken through all three layers. After that there was no communication. We both assumed that the leader had reached a safe place and predictably cut off communication to avoid being monitored.

It was after this that I issued the statement about silencing our arms. I did this in consultation with Soosai. I was using this statement as a basis to accelerate peace initiatives and come to an arrangement where the remaining people could be saved. Nadesan and Pulidevan from another location were also engaged in negotiations.

It was the earlier information received by me that Prabhakaran had broken through the military layers that gave me the belief that he had reached safety. It was this confidence that made me dismiss reports of Prabhakaran’s death and state that he was safe. Also the first media report about Prabakharan being dead was in relation to the ambulance escape. That report was false. Prabhakaran was not in an ambulance

But shortly before I lost contact with Soosai the sea tiger chief surprised me by saying that Prabhakaran could not break through and had returned. Soosai said that he was only a few hundred yards away from the place he was in. Soosai said that the break out attempt had failed and Prabhakaran had returned without Pottu Amman. He could not give me any more information other than that, except to say the fighting was really fierce. A little later I lost contact with Soosai

Some time later I saw Prabhakaran’s body on TV and immediately realised it was all over.

But I must emphasise that my earlier statement denying Prabhakaran’s death and subsequent statement confirming it were both given with all honesty. I did not intend to mislead anyone. I made them on the basis of the information available at that time. People must remember that fighting was going on and communication was difficult. They say “Porin moodupani” (fog of war) about war situations where people get wrong information about the situation.

Q: Yes. I think the term “fog of war” was first used by Clausewitz and recently made famous by Robert Mcnamara. But tell me how did Prabhakaran die? Do you know?

A: You understand that I was not there and must rely on what I heard or was told. On Prabhakaran’s death the information I got was that he and a group of 60 tigers were trapped in a strip of land adjacent to Nandhikkadal lagoon. They had all fought to the very end and died in battle.

Q: What about the stories about Prabhakaran surrendering and being shot after being humiliated?

A: No that never happened. If I know anything about Prabhakaran he would never ever have surrendered. I know the stories being spread. Some do so deliberately. Some simply repeat what they hear without thinking.

I know reliably that a senior TNA leader went around saying that Prabhakaran had surrendered and was brought to Sarath Fonseka who made the LTTE leader kneel down and then shot him. Nonsense! I can’t understand why a veteran Tamil leader who used to cringe before Prabhakaran should speak about him this way after death.

V.Prabhakaran ~ pic courtesy of: karthi keyan ~ Anikartick ~ Chennai

But the army people who defeated Prabhakaran speak highly of him and the way in which he died. Top persons in the defence establishment –I think you understand who I am referring to – told me that they had been very impressed by the courageous way in which this group had fought to the very end and died without surrendering.But some of our people are insulting Prabhakaran after his death. I want to reiterate that my leader fought to the very end and had a “Veera maranam” (heroic death)

Q: I have heard that during the Indian army period Prabhakaran had a bodyguard who carried a plastic can of petrol. His orders were to burn Prabhakaran’s body if he was killed so that the enemy should not get hold of it. But this time that does not seem to have been done.What happened?

A: I heard he had similar preparations this time too. For Prabhakaran it was very important that his body should be disposed of without others getting hold of it. What I think is that the petrol can may have fallen into the water or maybe the fighter entrusted with the duty was killed before Prabhakaran. I am only guessing I really don’t know.

Q: What about Pottu Amman? What do you think happened to him?

A:Since Prabhakaran and Pottu broke out together and Prabhakaran came back alone I presume that Pottu had died in the escape attempt. Otherwise he would have been at Prabhakaran’s side. Since the army is very sure that Pottu’s body was not recovered I am assuming that Prabhakaran himself would have got Pottu’s body destroyed to ensure it did not get into army hands.

Q: There is also the possibility that Pottu escaped?

A:As an argument yes! But realistically no!

The people who say Prabhakaran and Pottu are alive and would surface some years later are only insulting and disgracing their memory. Those who keep up this ridiculous claim must produce Prabhakaran and Pottu without uttering stupid nonsense.

Q: Another point I want to ask you is about Prabhakaran’s body. I expected Prabhakaran’s family members to demand that Prabhakaran’s body be handed over to them and for the overseas tigers to organize a final farewell to the man who dedicated himself to the cause he espoused for nearly 40 years.

A: I thought as you did at that time and obtained legal and diplomatic advice.

I was told that if Prabhakaran’s siblings would make a request that their brother’s body be handed over to them international pressure could be exerted on Colombo in that respect.

So I got in touch with Prabhakaran’s brother and one of his two sisters to ask them to make such a demand. I was rebuffed. In fact his sister’s husband snatched the phone from his wife while I was talking and rudely hung up on me after telling me not to call again. So there was nothing I could do and in the meantime the govt announced that his body was cremated and ashes scattered in the sea. That was that.

Q: So Prabhakaran died in battle. What about the rest of the family? What happened?

A:According to the information I have the wife Madhivadhani was killed in the shelling. I believe it happened before Prabhakaran made his break –out attempt.

Charles Anthony was injured in the fighting earlier but he continued to lead cadres in a last ditch stand. As I told you earlier he did not want to escape and died fighting.

Another thing in this is that Kuga the widow of Sornalingam alias Shankar(killed on Sep 27th 2001) remained with Charles and died along with him. Kuga was a close friend of Madhivadhani and had promised her that she would always be with Charles and be like a mother to him. She refused to leave with other wives and widows and remained with Charles.

The daughter Thuuvaraga also fought and died on the battlefield. I hear she died on May 14th.

As for the youngest kid Balachandran I am a bit puzzled. He would have remained close to his mother and so would have died in the shelling along with his mother. But the pictures I saw on the internet of a dead Balachandran did not indicate he had been killed in the shelling. So there is some confusion in this.

Q: Prabhakaran and the family being killed in this way must have been a terrible blow to you. I think you were his “Maapillai Tholan” (best Man) at his wedding. Why did you perform this role among all his senior deputies and commanders?

A:Yes. I have been close to him and the family. Their loss is a huge,personal loss. My inability to help them or save them will be a permanent source of grief to me.

You asked me about being the Groom’s friend at the wedding. There was a reason for it. When Prabhakaran fell in love with Madhivadhani and wanted to marry her most of the senior leaders and commanders were not in favour. They were opposed to it on the grounds that it would affect the movement.

At that stage Prabhakaran turned to me. He was very shy to tell me about this due to another happening in the past. You see when I joined the LTTE I was also romancing a girl. But Prabhakaran asked me to end the love affair saying a revolutionary should not be involved in a romance. With great reluctance I obeyed him and ended my love then.

Now the situation had changed and Prabhakaran was in love and asking my help. No wonder he was feeling awkward. But I immediately supported him and encouraged him to go ahead with the marriage. I personally spoke to several senior leaders and made them change their mind. It was I who met Prabhakaran’s father and informed him of his son’s matrimonial plan. It is because of this reason that I played the best man role at the wedding

Q: Even after the wedding you were close to him and the family?

A: Yes. Though I spent most of the time outside I was in constant touch with Prabhakaran those days. I used to talk to the children and wife also. After I got married my wife and Madhivadhani used to converse with each other on the phone

I also used to send personal gifts to each member of the family along with the stuff I used to ship to Lanka

During the Indian army period when Prabhakaran had to go to the Wanni jungles his wife Madhivadhani was finding it difficult to cope with two young children. Prabhakaran wanted to send them to a safe place for a while. He wanted to send them to an old comrade “Singham” living in Sweden.

They were brought by boat to India. Thereafter I arranged for travel documents and got them sent to Scandinavia. Later we found that Prabhakaran’s friend was having some problems and finding it difficult to accommodate Madhi and the children

So I took the risk of traveling to Sweden on false papers and transported the mother and children to Denmark. I arranged for safe accommodation there.

Q: With her family members?

A:No not with them. They were reluctant. This was elsewhere with some others.

Then came the talks with the Premadasa govt in 1989. I used the opportunity to get proper travel documents and went to Scandinavia from where I personally escorted the mother and kids to Colombo. I took them to the Wanni and handed them over to Prabhakaran saying I have brought your family home safely. He was very very happy

When I think of that time where I transported the family safely and of the present time where I could not help them I feel very, very sad. Those days both son and daughter were fond of me and I used to carry them frequently

Q:Yes I recall seeing pictures those days of you carrying Charles.

On the question of Charles Anthony and his sister Thuvaraga, there were media reports that they were studying in Britain and Ireland. What happened? When did they return and why?

A:No, no, no! They were never abroad for studies. That’s all false.

Q: Then?

A: You see both children were very clever and could have done very well in higher studies. The mother Madhivadhani was very keen about it. When Bala annai and Adele Aunty came out of the Wanni in 1999, Madhivadhani sent a request to me that I should make arrangements for the children’s higher studies abroad.

So I took some time and made careful preparations. I made foolproof arrangements where both could come abroad and commence higher studies in a very safe environment without their identity being revealed. Madhivadhani was very happy.

But the father Prabhakaran changed his mind after agreeing to it initially. He simply refused to let the children go. Madhivadhani could not make him change his stance. So that was that. They never came abroad for higher studies. Later both joined the movement voluntarily and became trained fighters

Q: Why did Prabakharan adopt this position?

A:I suppose it was due to his principles. He felt it was not correct for him to send his children abroad to safety and higher studies when the children of other people had to remain in the Wanni. It was the same principle that made him encourage the son and daughter to join the movement. Again he felt that he could not keep his children safely at home when the children of other people were fighting.

Q: Thank you for shedding some light on this issue. It appears that we have been misinformed about the actual situation.

However why is it that deliberate attempts are on to spread misinformation and disinformation about Prabhakaran’s demise?Why is there a divergence on this matter between you and Nediyavan?

A:At the start the refusal to accept the truth was emotional. For instance when I issued the statement about Prabhakaran being dead, an activist belonging to the intelligence wing –Kathirgamathamby Arivazhaghan – issued a statement contradicting it. But later he realised the truth and issued another statement accepting that Prabhakaran was no more.

In the case of Nediyavan and those around him they may have had doubts at the start.But now they know fully well that Prabhakaran is dead. However they are deliberately refusing to accept it publicly and are spreading stories that Prabhakaran is alive and that the armed struggle to achieve Tamil Eelam continues.

The pronouncements of Tamil Nadu leaders who say we must fight and get Tamil Eelam and present it to Prabhakaran when he appears helps in this false propaganda.

Q: What is Nediyavan’s motive in projecting this false impression about Prabhakaran being alive?

A:Money! Everything is money now. When I issued a statement about Prabhakaran being dead they started opposing it saying the leader was alive.When I planned to pay homage to Prabhakaran and other senior leaders they blocked it. Earlier I thought they were genuine in this belief about Prabhakaran being alive but later I discovered that they knew the truth but were pretending.

Q: How was that?

A: You see after some time I began negotiating with Nediyavan in a bid to patch up our differences and establish unity. One of the matters I was firm about was that we should acknowledge Prabakharan’s death and conduct a week of mourning. Then Nediyavan said that we should never acknowledge Prabakharan’s death publicly because the movement would not be able to collect money from the Diaspora after that.

I then told him that we cannot run a movement on lies and falsehoods. Besides we would be ungrateful people if we could not pay tribute to the leader who had fought unceasingly for the Tamil cause all these years

I also pointed out that Prabhakaran was the “Aathmaa” (Soul) of our struggle. Without him there was no struggle, no movement or no Tamil Eelam. I said that we needed large amounts of money only to buy arms.With the armed struggle over, we did not need such huge amounts. I said that the businesses we were operating abroad and small donations from our committed supporters were enough to run the movement.

I also said our new task was not to conduct a war but to help our people. The immediate goal was to secure the release of LTTE members in custody and rehabilitate them.The other was to get our displaced Tamils released and resettled

Nediyavan reluctantly agreed and we established unity resulting in myself becoming the leader in a re-structured LTTE. This was in July 2009.I was the chief secretary and Nediyavan the secretary in charge of overseas branch administration. It was agreed to commemorate Prabhakaran’s death during the great heroes week of November.

But then I was seized within weeks on August 5th and brought to Colombo. With that everything collapsed and Nediyavan got the upper hand. So Prabhakaran’s death was not acknowledged and the myth of him being alive is kept alive still.

Q: You said earlier that money plays a big part in this myth being perpetuated. I think I can guess why and how. But could you elaborate please?

A:During the last few months of the war a massive special collection was conducted among the diaspora. Not even a cent went to the war effort. That money is controlled by Nediyavan and his cohorts. There are also numerous money –making concerns either run directly or being financed by the LTTE. All this is big money. There is also an amount collected on behalf of the TRO(Tamil Rehabilitation Organization)

If Nediyavan and his people are to retain control of this cash and businesses and also raise more funds in the future they need to stage the drama that the armed struggle is not over and Tamil Eelam is just there at the junction. For that the big lie about Prabhakaran being alive must be maintained because our people know that without Prabhakaran there can never be a victorious armed struggle in our lifetime.

But this cant go on forever. Gradually the truth will be realised by all and Nediyavan will be exposed.

Q: This explains the puerile politics of Nediyavan and his cabal. But why are Tamil Nadu politicians like Nedumaran and Vaiko (V.Gopalaswamy) also saying that Prabhakaran is alive? Do they really believe it?

A: No. They also know the truth but they too have links to the overseas LTTE now controlled by Nediyavan. Also their politics has been around the image that the LTTE is invincible and Prabhakaran is immortal. So they have to keep on saying Prabhakaran is alive and Tamil Eelam will bloom.

Q: Have you not tried to convince people like Nedumaran and Vaiko?

A: Last year before I was caught I did telephone Nedumaran and spoke for a very long time explaining the position. He then told me to get the LTTE’s central working committee to pass a resolution saying Prabhakaran was dead. How could I do that? All the leaders were dead or missing or in custody.

Then this man Nedumaran did another dirty thing along with Vaiko. They issued a statement saying Prabhakaran was alive and that KP was an agent of the Indian spy agency RAW.

After that I stopped trying to talk to them. I did not speak to Vaiko but I know reliably that he knows Prabhakaran is no more. When told of the death in private Vaiko “kulungi Aluthar” (shaken and cried) But in public he maintains the lie of Prabhakaran being alive. No amount of secret weeping by Vaiko can take away his guilt in the downfall of the LTTE. It was he who spoiled chances of an India sponsored ceasefire

Q: What do you mean? What did Vaiko do or not do in this matter?

A: While I was trying to bring about a ceaefire on one side the political commissar Nadesan (Balasingham Mahendran) was also trying for one. At one stage pro-LTTE sympathisers in the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham) like chief minister Karunanidhi’s daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi along with the Catholic priest Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj had been negotiating with Central govt minister P.Chidambaram about a possible ceasefire

With Indian Parliamentary elections being held and AIADMK Leader Jayalalitha taking up a pro-LTTE stance the DMK-Congress combine was getting worried about losing. So Chidambaram came up with an idea. He wanted the LTTE to issue a unilateral statement with two main points. One was to agree to silence arms and surrender them in due course. The other was to accept a political settlement as an alternative to Tamil Eelam.

What I heard was that Chidambaram himself had “unofficially” drafted the statement for the LTTE to release under its name. The guarantee given was that New Delhi would exert pressure on Colombo when the statement was released and bring about a ceasefire pending negotiations.

Though Nadesan had been advised not to leak details of the move to people like Nedumaran and Vaiko, he had at one point of time consulted K. Mahendran the Tamil Nadu legislator from CPI(Marxist). The CPM was an election ally with Vaiko’s MDMK in the AIADMK led alliance. Mahendran had leaked details of the plan to Vaiko.

Both were worried that the Congress and DMK would get the credit for a ceasefire and do well in the elections. So they wanted to sabotage it. Vaiko then got angry at the LTTE and warned Nadesan that if the tigers opted for an alternative to Tamil Eelam then the MDMK and other Tamil Nadu parties supportive of the LTTE would permanently withdraw their support to the LTTE.

Nadesan was given the false hope that the AIADMK led alliance will sweep the seats in Tamil Nadu and the BJP will form the govt in New Delhi. Then pressure could be put on Colombo for a ceasefire. Any ceasefire before elections could help the DMK –Congress.

So this man Nadesan abandoned the idea of releasing a statement. Chidambaram could do nothing. All because of Vaiko. They were so selfish that they prevented a possible ceasefire thinking they will do well at the polls.

Q: But even if they had issued such a statement do you think Colombo could have been forced to agree to a ceasefire at that stage when the defeat of the LTTE was imminent? On the other hand even if the BJP won and AIADMK alliance swept the polls in Tamil Nadu things on the ground in Lanka could not have been changed overnight. Given the speedy progress of the Army things would have been over long before India moved even if it wanted to?

A: I agree. But what I am saying is that even the chance of attempting a ceasefire through Indian help was spoiled at the start itself by this man Vaiko. A selfish politician who let the LTTE be sacrificed for his election ambition. Now he is shedding crocodile tears for Prabhakaran in private and publicly talking of another Eelam war. How long will these fellows grind chilly on our heads?

Q: Thank you for relating in detail about these important events of the recent past. Your input provides fresh insight into these matters. But now I want to ask you about the present.

Let me start with your relationship with this government particularly the Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. You have already told me about your arrest and your first meeting with the defence secretary. Its obvious that both of you have established good rapport. But there are lots of allegations about this. Several opposition leaders and sections of the media have alleged that there is some kind of shady deal between . What do you have to say?

A: My answer is just the truth. It really is a simple story………………………….

(TO BE CONTINUED)

DBS Jeyaraj can be reached at dbsjeyaraj2005@yahoo.com

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50 Comments Add your own

1. S.Thillaiambalam | August 20th, 2010 at 2:39 pm

Once again I Thank you Mr.Jeyaraj for this fascinating interview. It is of monumental historical significance. It is the easy conversational style you adopt which makes it so readable and understandable

The candid approach of Mr.Pathmanathan makes this interview most authentic
2. Gloria Abraham | August 20th, 2010 at 2:47 pm

I was waiting and waiting for this continuation David and oh boy! am I happy to read it

At last I am getting to know what really happened to Prabakaran and his family
3. Gopal | August 20th, 2010 at 2:54 pm

Very good interview Mr.Jeyaraj

What KP has revealed about the role of Vaiko and Mahendran and Chidambaram are startling. I am sure there will be rebuttals and denials but I feel KP is telling the truth
4. Sudha | August 20th, 2010 at 3:02 pm

What is remarkable about Kp is his absolute honesty in answering. He is not like a politician or militant leader. Very frank and direct.

It is also great to see DBS nudging KP gently into divulging details never disclosed before
5. Vidivu | August 20th, 2010 at 3:12 pm

KP is a prisoner and has few options.
6. Ganesa | August 20th, 2010 at 3:16 pm

KP was kidnapped in detention now .
7. Tweets that mention dbsje… | August 20th, 2010 at 3:16 pm

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Prakash Venkatesan, David Jeyaraj. David Jeyaraj said: http://bit.ly/azWN68 How Prabhakaran met his death – KP speaks out 3 #Srilanka #Lka #LTTE #Tamil [...]
8. Dharmaratnam | August 20th, 2010 at 3:35 pm

KP is being used by Rajapaksa – to divide and conquer the Diaspora .
9. Siva | August 20th, 2010 at 3:47 pm

KP is in jail.
10. mercator | August 20th, 2010 at 3:54 pm

Awesome !!!
Thank you for this
11. Agathy Thamilan | August 20th, 2010 at 3:56 pm

நன்றி டி.பி.எஸ்.

நிறைய விடயங்கள் அங்கொன்றும் இங்கொன்றுமாக பேசப்பட்டாலும் விடுதலைப் புலிகளிற்கும் அதன் தலைமைக்கும் என்ன நடந்ததென்பதனை அவ் அமைப்பின் முக்கிய உறுப்பினரிடமிருந்து வெளிக்கொணர்ந்த உங்களிற்கு நன்றி. ஊடகவியளாளர் எப்படி இருக்க வேண்டுமென்பதற்கு வாழும் உதாரணமாக திகழ்கிறீர்கள். நலமுடன் வாழ வாழ்த்துகள். இப்போதும் கொடி பிடித்துக் கொண்டு அலைபவர்கள் மக்களிற்கு இன்னமும் பாதிப்பினையும் துன்பத்தையுமே வழங்கவுள்ளனர். இந்திய அரசை புலிகளிற்கோ அல்லது தமிழரிற்கோ உதவ தடைக் கற்களாக இருந்த வை.கோ போன்றவர்களை ஈழத் தமிழ் மக்கள் ஒரு போதும் மன்னிக்கவே மாட்டார்கள்.
12. Asanda | August 20th, 2010 at 3:57 pm

enough contradicting informations! do not seem trustable.
13. Ranjith | August 20th, 2010 at 4:01 pm

Good work
14. Mrinalini | August 20th, 2010 at 4:06 pm

Exhaustive,Excellent interview.It was exhausting physically to read it but exhilarating mentally to savour it
15. Ragu | August 20th, 2010 at 4:11 pm

A straightforward interview with revealing honest answers
16. R Maran | August 20th, 2010 at 4:14 pm

Thanks DBSJ.

VP destroyed Tamil’s unity by calling LTTE as sole representative of Tamils. Disunity within LTTE destroyed him.

I shed no tears for him.

R Maran
17. Rajeevarman | August 20th, 2010 at 4:16 pm

No one should be fooled – KP is a prisoner
18. Malini | August 20th, 2010 at 4:19 pm

One of the best interviews I’ve read. Well asked questions and well answered replies
19. Nandakumar | August 20th, 2010 at 4:27 pm

Gripping reading throughout. It was like a historical novel set in contemporary times
20. govinda | August 20th, 2010 at 4:28 pm

It is sad to hear about Prabha’s son (Balachandran) waiting for uncle KP. I hope Prabha got a chance to reflect how he denied similar dreams of thousands of other Tamil kids.
I am glad the LTTE maniac leaders are no more.
21. Senaka | August 20th, 2010 at 4:36 pm

Maru interview DBS. We are learning a lot about the LTTE thanks to you and KP
22. Jeyanthan | August 20th, 2010 at 4:42 pm

It is easy to see that KP is no politician. He is too honest for that. It is KP’s honesty that has made this interview a stunning success. Congratz DBS
23. estate boy | August 20th, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Thanks Mr DBS for this historical document, KP seems to be a realistic man, depite being in the tiger movement for long time, perhaps his acadamical backround, and his life abroad made him a different man in the tigers. I feel die hard tigers should listen him and chande their minds, what else they can do, the best alternative is , to speak to the Prseident MR
24. Nelum | August 20th, 2010 at 4:49 pm

Never enjoyed a political interview more. Aney Jayaraj , make this a whole series will you?
25. Brian | August 20th, 2010 at 4:53 pm

I think this interview is wonderful. DBS is one of those rare journalists who ask simple questions and elicit superb answers
26. Shanmugasundaram | August 20th, 2010 at 4:59 pm

Throughout the interview the honesty of KP is shining. His openness is refreshing
27. Param | August 20th, 2010 at 5:00 pm

I think KP knows exactly how Balachandran was killed.
28. Viswa | August 20th, 2010 at 5:04 pm

First time I’ve read a LTTE or ex-LTTE guy talking so openly. It is this trait of KP which makes this interview so credible.Kudos to DBS for drawing KP out
29. Wimala | August 20th, 2010 at 5:14 pm

Very interesting to read this. KP answers truthfully. Very nice to see such honesty
30. Basheer | August 20th, 2010 at 5:23 pm

This is like reading popular history.Please extend it as long as possible Mr.Jeyaraj
31. sudarshana | August 20th, 2010 at 5:28 pm

Hi Dbs,

It was a very good article

What did Prabakaran expect by slaughtering innocent Sinhala farmers?
What did Prabakaran expect by killing innocent Sinhala and Muslim and some of their own Tamil intellectuals?
Also why did Prabakaran want to kill Precedent Premadasa (Since he Provided most facilities to him)?
Thanks
Sudarshana
32. Confused Confucius | August 20th, 2010 at 5:58 pm

One of the best fictions!

Anyway interesting article!
33. Kalu Albert | August 20th, 2010 at 6:09 pm

This is like a top shelf TV serial where the viewers can’t wait till the next episode?

Thanks to both of you.
34. Rain Bow | August 20th, 2010 at 6:16 pm

Great work DBSJ, Keep it up. This was a sad part to read. How could so many innocent lives be sacrificed by a few selfish morons. The diaspora and local politicians as divided as they are, the people are left on their own to pick up the pieces.

May God bless our people!
35. selvan | August 20th, 2010 at 6:17 pm

Is KP contradicting himself? r is it a typo.

He said soosai told me that VP and Pottu came back after attempting to break out.
Then few question down he says Puttu did not come back.

Pls clarify.

Selvan

DBSJ RESPONDS:

There is nothing to clarify. There is NO contradiction as you mention. You are mistaken. Read again please
36. selvan | August 20th, 2010 at 6:20 pm

I would also caution the readers that KPs current view point is blinkered.
When he draws conclusions about past events they are not completely free of the influence of his current situation.

Nonetheless he certaintly deserves a platform to air his side of the story.

DBSJ RESPoNDS:

Judging by your earlier query about a non-existent discrepancy I would think you are the one with blinkered vision
37. j.muthu | August 20th, 2010 at 6:33 pm

Thankyou Rt.hon.Mr.Dbsj,
I heard most of them before your interview. Anyway, I always admire Prabakaran for his believes. Sinhala barbarism are never going to accept our survival, so true still. As you know whats happening in tamil home land. If he followed some of our best tamil brains he could achieve our and your dream for our beloved people. As you are a vellala christian, myself as hindu vellalan we both responsible for our for farthers mistakes. Again mad sir pon ramanathan to sadly praba made mistakes. I feel sorry for our future generation of tamils in our beloved land.
38. ChrisyPandian | August 20th, 2010 at 6:55 pm

This is the fate of Tamilians. One end some brave tamilians give their life for the tamil cause and the other hand, people betray tamilians just for the sake of money.
39. shankar | August 20th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

I don’t think what KP says about how prabha and his family died can be taken seriously. I don’t think he knows anything really and is just like any other fellow surmising as to what may have happenned. This is proved by the fact that he says he thought balachandran must have died in the shelling in which his mother died, but is puzzled when he saw his body on the internet with bullet wounds. If that photo was not there we all would have had to swallow the tosh that KP dishes out to us.

The only people who can tell us accurately how they died are the killers themselves, not KP. If others have to investigate this, they have to first start with how balachandran was killed. Were the bullet wounds on him inflicted in battle or capture? If it was capture then the likelihood of capture of the others is high, because why would he be captured and not the others?

As for KP saying Prabha died in battle, can he explain how come his body is practically perfect except for a neat execution style bullet to the back of the head which will not disfigure the face. Obviously he was killed with an axe first probably by a person in a rage, and then made to look like a bullet wound was the cause of death. Prabha’s knuckles seem to have been smashed too because they are not visible.

Duwaraga’s dead body photo is also shown on the web. Obviousy it does not look like a battle field death at all. From the face you can see what she has gone through.

If madhivadani died in the shelling where is the body eh?Why not a picture of that? If not for fight between gota and fonseka we would not have got the pictures of balachandran and duwaraga.

Is there a possibilty that the family might have submerged themselves with oxygen masks and balachandran may have surfaced because he coudn’t stand it anymore?
40. Ottawa Jegan | August 20th, 2010 at 7:07 pm

He who lives by sword, will die by sword.
41. Anonymous | August 20th, 2010 at 7:20 pm

the part how prabha & wife , pottu , sosai, balachandran & duvarga have died been a mystery and assumption to kp why ?
42. # 93 Annoynomous | August 20th, 2010 at 7:32 pm

Come on Shanker,

Take it from the horse’s mouth, instead of believing what you see on the Web and perhaps on Channel 4.

Recently I watched this clip where a blonde European girl, about 7 years old,singing hard core Sinhala songs, some of which I cant even read let alone sing.
43. madhavi | August 20th, 2010 at 7:36 pm

why would k.p make assumption to what happens to the prabha & family,potttu,sossai ?

and for the guy who said live by sword will die by sword

what happen to karuna and gothaya they didn’t die
44. Johan | August 20th, 2010 at 7:52 pm

DBSJ,
There are some questions are not bolded – some half bolded – please correct them to look perfect.

Thank you for your response on my ‘boat people’ request.

I don’t know if I should praise you like others for this interview series – reason being – this is a piece of expression of real communion between you two. I am sure KP or you are not in a state of expecting gratification from public – neither you two care about critisism – simply doing what has to be done. So excuse me – don’t want to put you up the papaya tree.

While reading every bit by bit information carefully – in background reminding continuously chance of him being diplomatic – not attaching myself to anything – just simply “listening” to him revealed alot. Even if someone lies there’s lots of truth can be found.

I have one question for KP – with this kind of intelligence and motivation how did he put himself in this situation where he knew he’ll be hunted anytime- to be extra cautious than he used to be. Simply to say I came out of the hotel for a bad receptive cell is making fool out ourselves – unless, being master mind of master minds he himself planned to be captured not wanting to surrender. Or he simply lost his natural intelligence because of the grief he was going through at that time. Whatever it may be – let us hope Gota and co make use of this gem in a meaningful way to sort out the things and the land and the people to blossom.
45. Krishna | August 20th, 2010 at 8:16 pm

A very historic interview DBSJ . Thanks for the same .As regarding the controversy over the death of VP and his family.I feel that only the Killers of VP & his family can come out with the truth but we know that they will never come out with the truth and so we have to just take in the KP version .Anyway one things is clear that VP and Pottu are dead and it is better that jokers like Vaiko and Nedumaran stop fooling people that VP and Pottu are alive and that the next war of Eelam will soon start .
46. Dilshan F | August 20th, 2010 at 8:31 pm

Super interview.

Only I have some doubts as what he says here about the end of VP would be exactly what I would have said too. — After reading DBSJ – tend to think DBSJ gets his facts right when he investigates and reports.
However about VP’s children not being educated does not ring a bell for two reasons. Pictures of daughter in a Graduation type pic. And Also being good parents Mother and father too would have wanted some education. I understand that for some time they did study in Jaffna or in Sri Lanka. On the other hand VP would have accepted the children to have joined the movement. Look what Papa MR is having his children following his tradition. My analysis is that KP is a ‘one master’ guy. With the his previous master gone he would be happy to accept another. Not to demean his endevours – but he would be a doer rather than be part of an eloborate system. He and Gota are like pea’s in the same pod. If roles are reversed we would have the same interview . Really strange . even Gota was living peacefully in USA until he was -recalled. The similarities in the characters played out in this really destructive war are so similar.
Explosive interview DBSJ. you might get a lot of bricks after this. However here are some flowers from me.
47. vishvajith | August 20th, 2010 at 8:46 pm

This interview is for the future generations to read and understand as to what happened, to whom and when.

Absolutely brilliant.
48. jaya | August 20th, 2010 at 9:29 pm

Good job.
.
49. Ranjan, Toronto | August 20th, 2010 at 9:41 pm

It is very refreshing to see a person of that political significance talking so candidly, without any clichés and catch phrases. There are enough small contradictions in his narrative that makes me feel this is the real deal. I would have been very suspicious if everything matched perfectly and we saw a perfect, polished story.

Having read the three installments, I am wondering if his initial statement that he saw the futility of the military struggle even before the end and came around to the idea of a peaceful coexistence, is really genuine. As someone earlier pointed out, he does seem to have lot of ambivalent attitudes and contradictions in his thinking. My feeling is that he changed his ideas only after his capture, which does indicate that he is a very pragmatic person. One a sad note his genuine affection for VPs family does come through.

DBS you are commended for drawing out his answers, you have asked the correct questions and I get the feeling that he is indeed speaking freely without any pre arranged script.

For me the most important part of the interview is yet to come, which is about the present, his relationship with GR, his perception of how the things are unfolding now. I hope you did ask him about his views on the large civilian deaths at the end, who is culpable and what he think should be done going forward.

I can’t wait for the next installment.
50. ellalan1 | August 20th, 2010 at 9:48 pm

I had expected most of these responses, because truth always be truth. Only liars come up with more lies and more lies. Main reason he was not subjected Lankan harsh treatments, is , he was involuntarily asked to stay away for seven years. Lankan Intel well known about that fact so they did not bother about his where about after 2002. The African countries he mentioned may have been Eretia and South Africa and Asian country may have been Indonesia.

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